Easy Cranberry Cheese Ball

This Cranberry Cheese Ball not only looks impressive and festive but tastes amazing with a mixture of cream cheese, white sharp cheddar, cranberries, crunchy pecans, and fresh chives.

It’s the easiest crowd-pleasing appetizer that you can make this holiday season!

The delicious balance of sweet and salty flavors will make the perfect addition to your table for either Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Looking for more appetizer recipes? Be sure to check out my Greek Whipped Feta (Tyrosalata) and Greek Cheese Pies (Tiropitakia).

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE A CRANBERRY CHEESE BALL?

Cream cheese – one 8-ounce block of plain cream cheese is all you need. Let it soften by setting it out on the counter 10 minutes before preparing the cranberry cheese ball.

White sharp cheddar – buy a block of white sharp cheddar and shred it yourself. Save time by using a shredding tool like this one and try to avoid buying the pre-shredded kind.

Dried cranberries – chop up ½ of the dried cranberries to be mixed into the cheese ball and leave ½ cup whole for the outer layer for a nicer look.

Roasted pecans – I use these chopped honey roasted pecans, but regular pecans will work as well just be sure to chop them up. If using regular pecans, you have the option to toast them for a bit in the oven.

Fresh chives – freshly chopped chives are the perfect flavor and color addition to the cheese ball. You can swap for green onions if needed but I find chives to be the ideal choice.

Garlic powder – adding a little garlic powder to the cheese ball mixture is a great flavor enhancer.

HOW TO MAKE THIS CRANBERRY CHEESE BALL

Prep ingredients –

Step 1 – Remove cream cheese from the fridge and set it on the counter to soften. Chop ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup pecans (if not already chopped), and ¼ cup chives. Shred 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese.

Mix ingredients –

Step 2 – In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup white sharp cheddar, ½ cup chopped dried cranberries, 2 tbsp chopped chives, and ½ tsp garlic powder until combined. Scraping down the sides as necessary.

Shape –

Step 3 – Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place the mixture on top. Cover the mixture completely with plastic wrap and use your hands to roll and shape into a ball.

Chill –

Step 4 – Place plastic wrapped cheese ball in the fridge until ready to serve (or for at least 10 minutes).

Garnish & serve –

Step 5 – Just before serving, add ½ cup chopped pecans, ½ cup whole dried cranberries, and 2 tbsp chopped chives to a cutting board and mix together.

Step 6 – Unwrap the cheese ball from the plastic and place down on the pecan mixture. Roll the cheese ball around until completely covered in pecan mixture, using your hands to press on any loose mixture.

Step 7 – Place the cranberry cheese ball on the center of a serving board and surround with crackers, pretzels, pita chips, crostini, or vegetables.

TIPS FOR MAKING A CRANBERRY CHEESE BALL

This cranberry cheese ball appetizer could not be an easier but here are a few expert tips to keep in mind.

• Let the cream cheese come to room temperature so the mixture comes together easily.
• Try to find premade honey roasted chopped pecans at the store so you don’t have to do any extra work.
• Make sure to buy the white cheddar cheese in a block and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is overly processed and not desirable. Here’s a helpful tool you can get for shredding your own cheese at home!
• You can make this cheese ball up to 3 days ahead of time. Just save the garnishing step for right before serving so the pecans don’t get soggy.

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

One of the best things about a classic cheese ball is how many ways you can customize it and make it your own.

Here are a few suggestions for recipe variations and substitutions:

• No nuts: leave out the nuts for those with allergies or any picky eaters.
• Mix in substitutes: use green onions instead of chives or include chopped jalapenos for a kick. Swap the cranberries for dried cherries.
• Nut variations: use chopped walnuts or honey roasted peanuts.
• Add protein: amp it up a bit with some cooked bacon bits.
• Cheese substitutes: use mozzarella, sharp cheddar, or goat cheese.
• Dairy free: use a vegan cream cheese and cheddar alternative to make a dairy free cranberry cheese ball.

HOW TO MAKE MINI CRANBERRY CHEESE BALLS

This recipe can also be made into individual cranberry cheese balls.

How to make mini cranberry cheese balls:

1. Follow recipe instructions but instead of making into one large ball, use your fingers to separate the mixture into 1-inch mini balls.
2. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
3. Prepare pecan, cranberry, chive mixture. Roll each mini ball in the pecan mixture until fully coated.
4. Place mini cranberry cheese balls on a serving plate and serve with a mini pretzel stick or toothpicks.

HOW TO SERVE THIS CRANBERRY CHEESE BALL

This easy appetizer is very versatile and tastes amazing when served with just about anything!

Here are a few serving ideas:

• Pretzels
• Crostini
• Pita chips
• Veggie sticks
• Crackers

HOW TO STORE CRANBERRY CHEESE BALL

Store the leftover cranberry cheese ball loosely covered in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Be aware that the nuts may get a bit soggy and lose their crunch the longer the cheese ball is stored.

MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS

You can make this cheeseball ahead of time up to 3 days. Add the pecans right before you’re going to serve so they don’t get soggy.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

• Stand mixer
• Handheld mixer
• Plastic wrap
• Circular wood serving board

RECIPE FAQ’S

MORE APPETIZER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Baked Feta in Phyllo with Honey
• Greek Spinach Pie
• Trader Joe’s Fall Charcuterie Board

RECIPE VIDEO

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